Has anyone here participated in those free Advance Screening Programs that you get offered through things like magazine subscriptions?

If so, what are the pros and cons of doing it? Is there a catch?

AK-Mal_Owner
Lieutenant Commander

Joined: Jan 07, 2004
Member#: 4415
Posts: 292

Posted:
Thu Apr 01, 2010 3:21 pm Post subject:

Generally there's some kind of feedback form that you have to fill out. Plus you may or may not be asked to not say anything about the film (ie, spoilers) ... it depends on what the intent of the screening is. Most of the ones we get here are promo deals though radio stations to generate buzz for a film a week before it fully opens.

I used to go to these all the time in college. Last year I got to see Dreamgirls early. I say, if it's a film that interests you, go ahead! It's usually some fun, you get an almost guaranteed full house, and if they ask you to do a survey, it's not very time-consuming._________________I'm writing a novel in verse. 150 stanzas so far, 3 chapters completed, 41% the length of Onegin. Goal: 170 stanzas by December 31.

alien_avatar
Captain

Joined: Oct 28, 2006
Member#: 16007
Posts: 1342
Location: Berlin

Posted:
Thu Apr 01, 2010 4:19 pm Post subject:

I used to do these advance screenings some years back. That was in Germany, of course, but it doesn't sound much different.
Usually you had to fill out a survey, but that was it. Sometimes there was free promo stuff, but only rarely.
So, all in all, I'd have to say that attending one of these is relatively low-risk. _________________"Welcome to the paranoia club; cheapest fees in the universe and membership lasts forever."
- Peter F. Hamilton, The Evolutionary Void